My Parents in their Honeymoon
October 7, 2009 by Poty · Leave a Comment
Bernie Rosales of San Jose, California had this tattoo in memory of his parents. His mother died four years ago and his dad past this January. He shared to us that his parents had been divorced for about 14 years when his mother passed. The tattoo is based on the photos of his parents during their honeymoon in Hong Kong way back 1968 when they were still young and in love.
Bernie prayed that may his parents be in peace now.
Filipino tattoo art unrepresented
October 5, 2009 by Christian · Leave a Comment
I was at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco for the Filipino American History Month celebration today helping teach the pre-Filipino writing system, Baybayin. I’ve been actively participating at these events for the past 2 years and have yet to see Filipino tattoo art fully represented.
With all other art forms such as painting, Baybayin, cooking, fashion, dancing, singing, rapping, poetry, FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) and etc are all well represented but where is the Filipino Tattoo community? I get asked about Filipino tattoos, especially tribal patterns 50x at every event. My experience is in San Francisco Bay Area but I assume that other regions across the USA/world are probably in the same situation. What about in the Philippines? Is there some sort of FREE education? There might be but I don’t see it on the internet and in this modern world, if it’s not on the internet – it doesn’t exist…..period. It may exist in your local area but in order to spread/keep the culture, it has to be online.
I fully understand that these cultural events are usually on the weekends and that’s your busiest times but maybe the investment in your own culture is worth it? What is the point of trying to preserve/spread the culture if you only teach people who can afford to pay? I’m all for capitalism but it’s a big contradiction.
From a business standpoint, it’s stupid to teach your craft or the meanings of “secret” tribal tattoo patterns but from a cultural one, it’s blah. I can tell you from personal experience by teaching Baybayin for FREE and giving out FREE materials to ANYONE who asks has been rewarding culturally, personally and financially. If someone steals my artwork and does their own thing, so what…..let them. I’ll just have to step it up. If I can’t, then so be it.
So my ask is of Filipino tattoo artists is…..please share your knowledge of Filipino tattoos. Don’t leave out the good 99% of your fellow Pinoys because your scared of the 1% that might take advantage of what you know. There’s a BIG hole in the Filipino tattoo community. If you don’t fill it, someone else will and it will be your loss. Need help or exposure, contact me and I will be gladly to assist.
Two Country’s Flags
October 2, 2009 by Poty · Leave a Comment
Philippine is known for its people and its different races. Fil-Am (Filipino-American) and Tsinoy (Chinese-Filipino) are the most dominant races in the country. Some of these people are not raced in Philippines but still proud that they are Filipinos.
Sergio of Hawaii is one of these half-blooded Filipinos. He is half-Filipino and half-Mexican. To show his two races, he had his tattoo designed with combination of his two country’s flags. This one is very unique as he managed to combine the two flags that results to a very great and symbolic design.
Middle Name with 3 Stars and a Sun
September 30, 2009 by Poty · Leave a Comment
This tattoo image was submitted by Chris B. Valdez of Lahaina, Maui. Out from the usual last-name-tattoo, he chose to engrave his middle name “Bigornia” with 3 Stars and a Sun in his chest. The design is originally from him and with the help of his artist they came up with this tattoo. Along with the description of his tattoo, Chris included a very cool phrase that really described his tattoo and it’s “F*ck the rest, i’ll take on to the chest.” Cool and brave as he is!
Latest client artwork
September 27, 2009 by Christian · 3 Comments
I recently did some artwork for Reggie from Daly City, CA
I just wanted to say thank you for all the work and time you have put into my piece. Every time I look at it I can’t believe that I have it on my arm, Everyone that has seen it can’t believe how good it looks . It is probably one of the best tattoos design I have ever seen, and I don’t say that just because it’s on my arm. you are an amazing artist and I am honored to have you as my tattoo artist designer. Maraming Salamat
Visit PinoyTattoos.com/Translations to get artwork like this.
